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Powder Options for .308 Win
#7204270
06/21/18 08:19 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,848
Texan Til I Die
OP
Extreme Tracker
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OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,848 |
So, I've got a great load for my 308 using 168 Amax and IMR4350. It shoots close to 1 hole 5 shot groups at 100, and the groups hold together well out to 800 yards. But that IMR4350 is wearing me out on temp stability, or rather the lack thereof. Looking at my DOPE sheets at 500 yards I've shot anywhere from 2.8 to 3.9 MILS over the last year as the temps ranged from about 45 degrees to the upper 90's. So I'm looking for something that will perform well in the .308 and is more temp stable. Besides IMR-4350 I currently use Varget, H4831SC, H4350, H414, and Retumbo in various rifles. I'm not stuck on any of those, but it would be nice to use something I already have. And I'd like to keep my velocity up to 2600+ using a 24 inch 5R barrel. What sayeth the collective THF wisdom?
Silver spurs and gold tequila keep me hanging on. Pretty girls and old cantinas give me shelter from the storm.
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: Texan Til I Die]
#7204302
06/21/18 08:37 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,642
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,642 |
4-5 people will be along shortly to tell you Varget.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: Texan Til I Die]
#7204307
06/21/18 08:40 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,174
scottfromdallas
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,174 |
I've never tried 4350 with 308. If IMR is working, H4350 is same burn rate but temp stable. Of course Varget is always an excellent choice. 4831 has to be too slow.
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: Texan Til I Die]
#7204308
06/21/18 08:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,171
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,171 |
168 A-Max, 45.0 to 46.0 gr. of H-Varget
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: Texan Til I Die]
#7204327
06/21/18 08:51 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219
dee
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219 |
"A vote is like a rifle; it's usefulness depends on the character of the user" Theodore Roosevelt
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: Texan Til I Die]
#7204340
06/21/18 09:00 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,951
ChadTRG42
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,951 |
Yes, 100% Varget, since you already have it. But why did you go with IMR 4350 in the 308 to begin with? That powder is WAY too slow for that round. With 4350, you should only get about 46, maybe 47 grains of powder in there before you have a very compressed load. Even at these higher powder charges, you are generating lower pressure about 47K psi and about 2550 fps, with about 91%-92% burn rate. It's not the right powder for a 308 Win.
Also, your variation on your elevation correction at 500 from 2.9 to 3.8 mils is A LOT!!! At 2550 fps with a 168 A-max, you should be right at 3.8 mils with a 100 yard zero. Even when I bump up the speeds to well over 2700 fps, I get a 3.1 mil come up, which is still .2 mils short of your data. I don't think that's the powder. It sounds more like a zero shift, or the round not being zero'd to start. Yes, IMR 4350 will be a little temp sensitive, of about .8 to 1 fps per degree. From 45 degrees to 90 degrees, you should only gain/lose about 45 fps. So, something else is going on. Another thing with a heavily compressed powder charge with 4350 is the bullet pushing out. I have loaded some personal ammo with a light neck tension on a compressed load, and the powder push the bullet out after it sits for a few days or months. When the bullet gets pushed out and you chamber it, the bullet will jam into the lands, changing up your pressures and could cause a change your POI or zero. So, there's lots of things happening with this load of 4350.
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: Texan Til I Die]
#7204494
06/21/18 11:23 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,100
TackDriver
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,100 |
Varget for me
Last edited by TackDriver; 06/21/18 11:24 PM.
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: Texan Til I Die]
#7204632
06/22/18 01:44 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,521
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,521 |
Not a .308 guy, but if I was I'd consider H4895 also.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: Texan Til I Die]
#7204713
06/22/18 03:06 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,637
DStroud
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,637 |
If you want to stay with powders on hand then it’s Varget no doubt. As RR said H 4895 along with N150 are two of the best and for just plain old speed go with 2000MR
"Anyone taking up handloading necessarily plays with unknown factors and takes chances. But so does anyone who drives a car,goes to a cocktail party,eats in a restaurant,or gets married."
Jack O'Connor 1963
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: Texan Til I Die]
#7205571
06/23/18 01:20 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872
GLC
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872 |
Imr 4064 is a real good powder but is temp sensitive.
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: Texan Til I Die]
#7205615
06/23/18 02:01 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,199
Korean Redneck
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,199 |
Totally new to reloading and started with varget. Can't say if there are better but it worked pretty good so far for me in various temps just like others have mentioned and I used 168 sierra and hornady bthp. Gonna use the same powder with the 178gr LEDs hoping for equivalent results out to 400yds.
I'm a dude who likes long barrels!
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: Korean Redneck]
#7208240
06/25/18 10:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,848
Texan Til I Die
OP
Extreme Tracker
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OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,848 |
Got loads worked up using Varget, and low and behold some CFE223 showed up at the local gun shop so I snagged a pound of it just to try. Hopefully this darn wind will lay tomorrow or Wednesday and I can get in some range time after work.
Chad, good catch on the zero shift. I was looking at the raw data and had completely forgotten about that little fubar. Had some Vortex Tactical rings that weren't holding and ended up replacing them with Seekins. I did have a note on the bottom of my DOPE sheet about it but of course I didn't look down there when I typed up the numbers.
Silver spurs and gold tequila keep me hanging on. Pretty girls and old cantinas give me shelter from the storm.
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: Texan Til I Die]
#7208525
06/26/18 03:14 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 544
Stykes
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 544 |
Varget......and yes 44 to 46 grains on the 168's (Nosler BT's for me). My accuracy node is 44.5. You have to hand weigh your charges though. If you want to load in a progressive press and spot check every 10th round or so BLC2 meters well and works very well in 308.
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Re: Powder Options for .308 Win
[Re: dee]
#7209174
06/26/18 10:29 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,174
scottfromdallas
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,174 |
One of my favorite powders is becoming 8208. I find it more consistent than TAC and it meters just as well.
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